The NFL world has been abuzz following reports that Atlanta Falcons “would like to trade” Julio Jones in order to clear cap space.
According to Sports Illustrated, they are under the cap by $500, 000 and are unable to sign their rookies, the cost of which is approximately $8 million.
Jones’s cap number for 2021 is over $20 million, so Atlanta would save more than $15 million by trading him after June and before training camp, creating that space.
Shultz adds that the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans could be trade partners.
Buffalo did, however, crack the list of 11 teams with odds to land the star receiver in a trade, six of which are fellow AFC contenders, including the Patriots who are reported to be both considering a move to add Jones as well as a destination he supposedly prefers on account of Cam Newton.
Per Spotrac, the Bills have $3.2 million in cap space, and Jones has a 2021 base salary of $15,300,000 with a cap hit of $23,050,000. There are three years remaining on his deal, including an $11,513,000 base salary and a $19,263,000 hit in 2022 with $11,513,000 base and $19,263,000 in 2023.
In short, it would take some creative maneuvering and restructuring. With extensions for Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds on the horizon, GM Brandon Beane would need to work his magic for it to work.
At age 32, Jones is a generational talent with three years remaining on his current contract.
So should Buffalo make a move for the star receiver?
Here are some reasons to make the trade: